William Albert Whelpley Sr., 73, of Peoria, Ariz., formerly of Iowa City, died Oct. 30, 2012, in a Glendale, Ariz., hospital. Services were held Nov. 2, 2012, at West Valley Chapel in Peoria.

Survivors include his wife, Sara; children, William A. Whelpley Jr of White Plains, N.Y., Eric Whelpley of Anthem, Ariz., Edward Whelpley of Wallingford, Pa., Michael Whelpley of Fairfield, Conn., Aimee Whelpley of Watertown, N.Y. and Mark Whelpley of Sacramento, Calif.; and eight grandchildren.

He was born in Nevada, Iowa, and graduated from McKinley High School and attended the University of Iowa. After 10 years as a scientist on the Van Allen research team, and notably the program manager for both the Injun IV and Injun V satellite projects, he had a long career in the telecommunications business.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 28, 2012.